Paper feeding apparatus for image forming machine

Abstract

A paper feeding apparatus is provided with a paper feed roller supported rotatably by an image forming system body via a roller shaft, a paper feeding table which can be drawn freely in the axial direction of the roller shaft from a paper feed opening of the image forming machine body, a paper feeding hopper guided and supported by the paper feeding table so as to be movable freely to and from the paper feed roller horizontally, and in a direction orthogonal to the axial direction of the roller shaft, and an interlocking device which moves the paper feeding hopper freely to and from the paper feed roller in an interlocking motion with the drawing and restoring operation of the paper feeding table. Thereby, when the paper feeding table moves backward from the front, the paper feeding hopper is moved to the side of the paper feed roller along guide rails by the interlocking device. Then, the paper feed roller is rotated and the paper feeding hopper is received in a predetermined position without slacking of the paper.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A paper feeding apparatus for an image forming machine having a paper feed opening, the paper feeding apparatus comprising: a paper feed roller rotatably supported by a roller shaft on the image forming machine;   a paper feed table freely movable in an axial direction of the roller shaft toward and away from the paper feed opening of the image forming machine;   a paper feed hopper guided and supported by the paper feed table, the paper feed hopper being movable in the axial direction of the roller shaft with the paper feed table and further being movable in a direction generally orthogonal to the axial direction to horizontally move toward and away from the paper feed roller; and   interlocking means for moving the paper feed hopper in the direction generally orthogonal to the axial direction in response to movement of the paper feed table.   
     
     
       2. The paper feeding apparatus for an image forming machine as claimed in claim 1, wherein the interlocking means further comprises: a first link having one end pivotally attached to the paper feeding table by a first pin, the first pin being generally vertical with respect to the axial direction and generally orthogonal to a longitudinal axis of the roller shaft;   a second link having one end pivotally attached to the other end of the first link by a second pin, the second pin being generally parallel to the first pin, the other end of the second link being pivotally attached by a third pin to the paper feed hopper the third pin being generally parallel to the first pin; and   stopper means for operatively engaging the other end of the first link and the other end of the second link upon movement of the paper feed table away from the paper feed opening to pivot the first and second link relative to each other to thereby move the paper feed hopper toward the paper feed roller.   
     
     
       3. The paper feeding apparatus for an image forming machine as claimed in claim 2, wherein the interlocking means further comprises a roller rotatable about the second pin, the roller contacting the stopper means during movement of the paper feed table away from the paper feed opening. 
     
     
       4. The paper feeding apparatus for an image forming machine as claimed in claim 2, further comprising a spring between the paper feed table and the paper feed hopper, the spring urging the paper feed hopper away from the paper feed roller when the paper feed table moves toward the paper feed opening. 
     
     
       5. The paper feeding apparatus for an image forming machine as claimed in claim 2, wherein the first and second links form an angle therebetween and wherein the angle between the first and second links increases upon engagement with the stopper means and movement of the paper feed table away from the paper feed opening such that the paper feed hopper moves toward the paper feed roller and wherein the angle between the first and second links decreases upon movement of the paper feed table toward the paper feed opening such that the paper feed hopper moves away from the paper feed roller. 
     
     
       6. The paper feeding apparatus for an image forming machine as claimed in claim 1, wherein the interlocking means further comprises: a moving member provided on the paper feed table, the moving member being movable in a direction generally parallel to the axial direction of the roller shaft;   at least one fixed pulley mounted on the paper feeding table;   at least one movable pulley displaceable relative to the paper feed table in the direction generally parallel to the axial direction of the roller shaft;   a first wire operatively connected at one end to the moving member and at the other end to the at least one movable pulley;   a second wire operatively connected at one end to the paper feed table and at the other end to the paper feed hopper at a side thereof which is close to the paper feed roller; and   stopper means for engaging the moving member upon movement of the paper feed table away from the paper feed opening to move the paper feed hopper toward the paper feed roller via the first wire, the at least one movable pulley, the second wire and the at least one fixed pulley.   
     
     
       7. The paper feeding apparatus for an image forming machine as claimed in claim 6, wherein the second wire extends from the side of the paper feed hopper close to the paper feed roller to a side of the paper feed hopper farthest from the paper feed roller and the second wire is operatively connected to the at least one movable pulley. 
     
     
       8. The paper feeding apparatus for an image forming machine as claimed in claim 7, wherein four fixed pulleys are provided and wherein the second wire engages three of the four fixed pulleys. 
     
     
       9. The paper feeding apparatus for an image forming machine as claimed in claim 6, wherein at least two fixed pulleys and two movable pulleys are provided, the first wire being connected at the other end to a first one of the two movable pulleys and a third wire being provided, the third wire being connected at one end to the paper feeding table and at the other end to a fixed shaft of a second one of the at least two movable pulleys, the third wire engaging the first of the two movable pulleys. 
     
     
       10. The paper feeding apparatus for an image forming machine as claimed in claim 6, further comprising a spring between the paper feed table and the paper feed hopper, the spring urging the paper feed hopper away from the paper feed roller when the paper feed table moves toward the paper feed opening. 
     
     
       11. The paper feeding apparatus for an image forming machine as claimed in claim 1, further comprising guide rails provided on the paper feed table and projections provided on a bottom of the paper feed hopper, the projections being operatively connected to the guide rails and the paper feed hopper being movable in the direction generally orthogonal to the axial direction along the guide rails. 
     
     
       12. The paper feeding apparatus for an image forming machine as claimed in claim 1, further comprising an engaging claw pivotally connected to the image forming machine and means for urging the claw to block movement of the paper feed table in the axial direction of the roller shaft. 
     
     
       13. The paper feeding apparatus for an image forming machine as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a pivotable table provided in the paper feed hopper, the pivotally table receiving paper thereon and being pivotable in a vertical direction to move toward and away from the paper feed roller.